“We hope on our side that nobody shows up, but we know injuries do occur and we are happy to be here, ready and waiting for people who need us,” explained Jonathan Godin, M.D., an orthopaedic surgeon with Carilion Clinic Sports Medicine.

Garret Garman and his father drove from Franklin County to be seen at the clinic. They were glad to be able to walk in without an appointment and get a much needed X-ray.

“It is our job to track them and just keep them on track through their entire process of care,” said Thomas K. Miller, M.D., section chief, Carilion Clinic Sports Medicine.

At Virginia Tech, Carilion has a team of in-take coordinators who work together with physicians and other athletic trainers to make sure athletes receive treatment efficiently. This is just one more example of the team approach needed to ensure positive outcomes for patients.

“Our goal is obviously to make sure athletes are healthy and if there are any issues, get them back safely to best treatments possible,” added Christofer Catterson, M.D., a Carilion Clinic orthopaedic surgeon who regularly cares for Virginia Tech’s athletes.

Carilion physicians, physicians assistants and athletic trainers are on the sidelines and always prepared. Carilion is the official specialty health care provider for the Virginia Tech Hokies and multiple colleges and high schools in the region rely on our team to take care of athletes who participate in a range of sports.

For our team, it is about getting those athletes back in the game and, most importantly, doing what they love.

Joey Prata tore his ACL last year. As a wrestler for Virginia Tech, he has been pleased with the medical care that will allow him to return to the mat next year.

“The training staff know what they’re doing,” Prata said. You don’t even really have to think about it.”

An athletic approach to medical care that can apply to anyone. Of course, the goal is winning care that leads to the best opportunity for succeeding both on the field and off.